Latest Newsletter

Although agriculture is exempt from most employment standard rules, any increase in the minimum wage will eventually affect farmers' bottom line.
News

Farmers eye potential impacts from minimum wage hike

Despite agricultural exemptions, pay rates are typically affected

By
The significant increase to minimum wage recently announced by the provincial government garnered a muted, and in some cases, positive response from Ontario’s agricultural sector. This is a contrast to reaction from the sector in 2018, when the last major increase occurred. According to one of the loudest voices of dissent from 2018, Hamilton-area broccoli […] Read more
Conservative agriculture critic John Barlow speaks Nov. 24, 2021 in the House of Commons. (Screengrab from supplied video)
Crops

End date sought for P.E.I. potato export ban

A ban from Washington would be harder to reverse, Liberals say

By
The federal Conservatives want to see a clearly defined end zone for the Canadian government’s suspension of Prince Edward Island potato exports to the U.S. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency on Monday announced the suspension of certification for P.E.I. potato exports to the U.S., — a move which, according to federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, […] Read more
P.E.I. Ag Minister Bloyce Thompson announces a $10 million contingency fund to support potato growers affected by a new ban on exports to the U.S. and calls on Ottawa to reverse its decision. (Government of P.E.I. video screengrab via Facebook Live)
Crops, Machinery

P.E.I. potato exports to U.S. halted

Canada imposes new rules after potato wart findings

By
Canada has moved to halt exports of Prince Edward Island potatoes to the United States after findings of potato wart in the province last month — on what federal officials describe as the threat of a U.S. ban. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday it has “temporarily suspended” exports of fresh potatoes from P.E.I. […] Read more
Alfalfa looper larva. (CanolaCouncil.org)
Crops

U.S. to ban use of chlorpyrifos on food crops

Cancellation already scheduled for most outdoor use in Canada

By
UPDATED, Aug. 25 –– Chicago | Reuters — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday said it will ban the use on food crops of chlorpyrifos insecticide, which has been linked to health problems in children. The decision is a victory for environmental activists who have fought to stop the use of the chemical that […] Read more
John Lohr. (PCPartyns.ca)

Nova Scotia Tories’ ag critic returns as party wins election

PCs oust incumbent Liberals, form majority

By
The agriculture critic for Nova Scotia’s opposition Progressive Conservatives is set to return to the legislature, this time as part of a majority government, following Tuesday’s provincial election. As of about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Tim Houston’s PCs were elected or leading in 31 of 55 ridings, followed by Iain Rankin’s incumbent Liberals with 17 and […] Read more
(Dave Bedard photo)
Markets

U.S. confirms will boost food stamps by record amount

By
Washington | Reuters –– The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) on Monday will announce revised nutrition standards dramatically boosting average food stamp benefits, the agency confirmed Sunday. The New York Times first reported the plan to unveil the largest permanent benefits increase in the history of the government’s primary anti-hunger program, saying the change would result […] Read more
Root rot on a dry bean plant.
Crops, News

Root rot, white mould and crop pest insects

OMAFRA Field Crop Report for July 13

By
There are mixed reports on the health of dry beans in Ontario this season. While many fields look good, rains following the initially dry conditions at planting have increased the incidence of root rots as well as the risk of white mould. Root rot In Ontario, the four main fungal pathogens causing root rot are […] Read more
Nutrien’s potash mine near Rocanville, Sask. (Nutrien.com)
Crops, Markets

Nutrien to further bump up potash output

'Continued tightening' in market cited as potash producer Belarus sanctioned

By
Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian fertilizer producer Nutrien said Monday it would boost its 2021 potash output by 500,000 tonnes, after the European Union and others imposed new trade sanctions on Belarus. Nutrien’s increase takes its potash sales outlook this year to a record-high range of 13.3 million to 13.8 million tonnes, and follows a […] Read more
A mayfly on water. (SBTheGreenMan/iStock/Getty Images)
Crops

Federal reprieve for imidacloprid cuts its application rates

Proposal for near-total ban rejected in Health Canada's final decision

By
A member of the neonicotinoid family of insesticides and seed treatments has been pulled back from the brink of an all-out ban in Health Canada’s final re-evaluation ruling. Most agricultural uses of imidacloprid — sold by Bayer under brands such as Gaucho, Merit and Admire, and by Adama under brands such as Alias and Sombrero […] Read more

Cyber-Savvy Farmer

Glacier Farmmedia Podcast